The Nairobi-based Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED) is one of UNDP’s Global Policy Centers. GC-RED manages the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net), a capacity sharing “network of networks” initiative that promotes dialogue and cooperation between science, policy and practice for effective BES management, contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development. In partnership with the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Phase I of BES-Net (2016-2020) has been contributing to the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) through three inter-linked areas of work: • Regional face-to-face awareness raising, capacity building and networking support: BES-Net has been fostering face-to-face triangular dialogues, or “Trialogues”, among the three target communities of science, policy and practice around the themes of the completed IPBES Thematic Assessments, particularly on pollinators/pollination and land degradation/restoration. Enhancing mutual learning, inter-cultural understanding and interinstitutional coordination on specific policy-relevant questions at the national and regional levels, Trialogues strengthen the interface between these communities and increase their capacity to integrate scientific findings of the IPBES assessments into policy, decision-making and on-the-ground practices; • National Ecosystem Assessments (NEA): BES-Net has been supporting the development of national capacity to conduct NEAs in selected countries, complementing the global assessment being undertaken by IPBES. Leveraging the expertise of the Sub-Global Assessment Network (SGAN), the NEA process encompasses not only the production of national assessment reports, but also the development of a set of policy support tools to integrate assessment findings into decision-making; and • Online platform for global networking: The BES-Net web portal provides a comprehensive knowledge resource library on biodiversity and ecosystems services, and a rich database of organizations and experts working on the IPBES thematic assessment areas. The latest news and updates from BES-Net and its 100+ network partners are circulated via social media channels and disseminated through bi-monthly e-newsletters. Building on the achievements of BES-Net Phase I to date, BES-Net Phase II has commenced in 2020 with the objective to formalize the scientists-policymakers-practitioners partnership and strengthen synergy and complementarity in their BES-related decisions, actions and subsequent impacts in target countries. BES-Net Phase II (2020-2028) will work jointly to support evidence-informed policy setting, strategic planning and the implementation of transformative solutions for BES protection in 18 countries. It will also up-scale the successful approaches of BES-Net Phase I, by promoting NEAs in four new countries